October is National Audiology Awareness month and National Protect Your Hearing month.

Hearing loss affects people of all ages—one in eight people over 12 years of age in the United States has significant hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States. Untreated hearing loss can affect your ability to understand speech and can negatively impact your social and emotional well-being—hearing impairment can decrease your quality of life!

Hearing loss is an increasing health concern in this nation that is often preventable. Signs you may have a hearing loss:

• Difficulty hearing people in noisy environments such as a restaurant, shopping mall, in cars, or at the movie theater.

• People seem to “mumble” all the time.

• Family, friends, or colleagues often need to repeat themselves when speaking with you.

• You have trouble hearing people when they are not facing you or are in another room.

• You have trouble following conversations.

• You have ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ears.

If you think you may have a hearing loss, you need to see an audiologist. An audiologist is a licensed and clinically experienced health-care professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders.

The first step in treatment of a hearing problem is to get your hearing evaluated by an audiologist. A hearing evaluation will determine the degree of hearing loss you have and what can be done. Although most hearing loss is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment, which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation.

During National Audiology Awareness Month, this October, we encourage you and our loved ones to make an appointment at Hearing Resources Audiology Center to start the journey to better hearing.

At Hearing Resources Audiology Center we specialize in: Comprehensive hearing evaluation and treatment for hearing loss for adults and children older than 8 months.

• Full range of hearing aid services for adults and children, including accessories, battery sales, and repairs.